Measuring arrangement to determine location of corners for a building foundation and a wooden base frame, and the use thereof

ABSTRACT

An arrangement comprising a laser projection device is used in determining the location of corners in constructing a foundation of a building or other structure. The arrangement is also used in positioning wooden beams perpendicular to one another in a floor frame or similar structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an arrangement for use in determiningthe location of corners in constructing a foundation of a building orother structure. The present invention further relates to an arrangementfor use in positioning wooden beams for a floor frame or similarstructure.

2. Background Information

In construction, it is well known that establishing a secure and welldesigned foundation is essential in constructing buildings, homes, andother large structures. Poorly designed foundations often createdifficulty in construction and lessen the stability of the structure. Itis very important to lay a foundation in the ground that corresponds asexactly as possible to the shape and dimensions of the structure to bebuilt. Since most buildings and other structures are square orrectangular in shape, it is necessary to accurately measure and positionthe four corners of the foundation. If the foundation does notaccurately match the design of the structure, the aforementionedproblems will result.

In that regard, construction workers generally use a well-knownmeasuring technique in which a stake or like object is placed in theground at a position where one corner of the foundation will be. Asecond stake is then placed a distance, for example, six feet, from thefirst stake. The two stakes define a first straight line whichrepresents a portion of a side wall of the foundation. A third stake isthen positioned a distance, for example, eight feet, from the firststake. The first and third stakes define a second straight line, whichsecond straight line should be perpendicular to the first straight lineto form an 90 degree angle. In this manner, a corner is defined that islocated at the first stake.

Since the positioning of the stakes to define the corner isapproximated, an additional step must be taken to ensure that the linesare perpendicular and that the corner thus defines a 90 degree angle.One worker utilizes a tape measure or other appropriate device tomeasure the distance between the second and third stakes, which distanceis the hypotenuse of a right triangle defined by the three stakes. Thehypotenuse will of course be the square root of the sum of the squaresof the other two sides. In this particular example, the two sides aresix and eight feet, and thus the hypotenuse will measure ten feet.Therefore, one worker measures the hypotenuse distance to see if thedistance is ten feet, which would mean that the corner is a 90 degreeangle. If the distance is not ten feet, which often occurs, then thestakes must be moved by another worker and the distance measured againby the first worker. The workers move the stakes and measure thedistance again and again until the right distance and angles are foundthat result in the defining of the 90 degree angle.

The above process often takes a considerable amount of time and requirestwo or more workers to perform the process. Further, because theworkers' best guess or estimation is utilized in positioning the stakes,the possibility for error is greatly increased.

The perpendicular positioning of wooden beams is also necessary whenbuilding wooden decks, floors, and porches. For example, when building awooden structure such as a floor, a porch, or an outdoor deck, the baseframe usually comprises two parallel ends made of one or more woodenbeams. The base frame further comprises several additional wooden crossbeams that are placed perpendicular to the end beams and spaced apartfrom each other a predetermined distance. The spacing and positioning ofthe beams in the frame should be as exact as possible to increasestability and strength of the base frame. Due to human error andinaccuracy in measurement and placement, the chances of misplacing thewooden beams increases. Further, usually two workers are required toproperly align and secure the beams.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to simplify the above-describedprocesses while improving accuracy and efficiency by utilizing a lasermeasuring and placement apparatus that could be effectively used by asingle worker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the above object, the present invention, in at least onepossible embodiment, discloses the use of a laser beam to determine aline that is perpendicular to another line to define a corner. In oneembodiment of the present invention, a worker first places a stake orlike object in the ground where the corner of a foundation will beplaced. A second stake is then placed a distance from the first stake. Astring or wire can be tied to each of the stakes to define a straightline that is substantially parallel to the ground.

After the string has been attached to the stakes, a device that projectsa laser beam may then be placed on the string. The device could comprisea bubble level to ensure that the device is parallel to the ground tothus essentially ensure that the device projects a laser beam that issubstantially parallel to the ground. The device could project a beamthat is substantially perpendicular to the string. Once the worker haspositioned the device at the location where the corner of the foundationwill be placed, the worker takes a third stake and positions it adistance from the first stake in the path of the laser beam. In thismanner, the worker can position the third stake, regardless of thedistance, to define a line that is substantially perpendicular to theline defined by the first and second stakes.

The above process thus essentially eliminates the need to measure thedistance between any of the stakes. Further, only one worker is requiredto perform the process. In addition, estimations of the positioning ofthe stakes can be eliminated and thus the accuracy of the cornermeasurement can be increased. Finally, the process can in most cases becompleted after one try, so no additional measuring and repositioningwould be required, and thus the time required to complete the processwould be reduced.

In at least one possible embodiment of the present invention, two stakescan be placed in the ground along the line defined by the laser. Astring can be tied between these two stakes so that the corner isdefined by the strings tied between the two pairs of stakes.

The laser device can be attached to the string tied between the firstand second stakes in a number of ways. In one possible embodiment of thepresent invention, the laser device has a body to house the laser and ahanging projection, such as a hook or hooks, projecting from the body.The hanging projection can be utilized to hang the laser device from thestring.

In yet another possible embodiment, the laser can project from only oneside of the laser device. In still another possible embodiment, thelaser can project from both sides of the laser device. The laser devicecould have two laser diodes that each project a separate beam inopposite directions. In an alternative embodiment, the laser devicecould have a single laser diode and a splitter device to split the laserinto two beams traveling in opposite directions.

The laser measurement and positioning system can also be used toposition solid objects, such as wood planks or beams, at right angles toeach other. For this particular use, the laser device could be mountedor placed on one of the end beams of the base frame. The laser devicecould be mounted on the top or sides of a bracket that fits on thewooden beam. A laser beam could then be projected from the device andperpendicular to the wooden beam. The wooden cross beams could then beplaced along the path of the laser beam to establish a perpendicularalignment with respect to the end beam.

In additional possible embodiments, the laser device that is mounted ontop of the bracket could have more than one laser beam projector. Forexample, the top-mounted laser device could have four laser beamsprojecting in four directions in a single horizontal plane, such thattwo lines are defined that lie in the plane and are perpendicular to oneanother. The laser device could further comprise two laser beamprojectors mounted on opposite sides of the bracket structure to projectone beam from each side to define a single line perpendicular to thewooden beam.

In another possible embodiment, the laser device could be powered by abattery or batteries, such as double A or triple A batteries, or anyother suitable battery type. The battery could be housed in the body ofthe laser device.

The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed further hereinbelow. When the word “invention” is used in thisspecification, the word “invention” includes “inventions”, that is theplural of “invention”. By stating “invention”, the Applicant does not inany way admit that the present application does not include more thanone patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains thatthis application may include more than one patentably and non-obviouslydistinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure ofthis application may include more than one invention, and, in the eventthat there is more than one invention, that these inventions may bepatentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a laser device according to at least one embodiment of thepresent invention on a string tied between two stakes to define acorner;

FIG. 2 shows a top close-up view of the laser device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side perspective close-up view of the laser device shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a laser device according to at least one embodiment of thepresent invention mounted on a wooden beam;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the laser device shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the laser device shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows the laser device shown in FIG. 6 as used to position woodenbeams in a base frame;

FIG. 8 shows a laser device according to at least one embodiment of thepresent invention mounted on a wooden beam;

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a laser device according to at least onepossible embodiment which projects two laser beams;

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the laser device shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the laser device shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 shows an end view of the laser device shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of a power source and laser system for alaser device which projects two laser beams according to at least onepossible embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows a schematic view of a power source and laser system for alaser device which projects two laser beams according to at least oneother possible embodiment;

FIG. 15 shows another possible embodiment with additional description;

FIG. 16 shows a further possible embodiment with additional description;and

FIG. 17 shows yet another possible embodiment with additionaldescription.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please note that the same reference numerals have been used in some ofthe figures for similar components of different embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 shows a laser device 1 according to at least one embodiment ofthe present invention on a string or wire 2 tied between two stakes orposts 4 to define a corner. The laser device 1 is hung from the string 2and projects a laser beam 3 out two sides to define a line substantiallyperpendicular to the string 2. Two additional stakes 4 are placed in theground in the path of the laser beam 3. An additional string 2 is thentied between the two additional stakes 4, and thus a 90 degree angle isdefined by the two strings 2. The intersection of the two strings 2defines a corner for a square or rectangular building foundation. Theprocess can be repeated for each of the other three corners.

FIG. 2 shows a top close-up view of the laser device 1 shown in FIG. 1.The laser device 1 is hung from the string 2 by hooks 5 so that thelaser device 1 can be easily hung and moved on the string 2. The hooks 5also permit the easy removal of the laser device 1 for additional use.In this particular embodiment, the laser device 1 has a bubble level 7to permit the user to verify that the laser device 1 is parallel to theground. The laser device 1 comprises laser projectors 6 that project thelaser beam 3.

FIG. 3 shows a side perspective close-up view of the laser device shownin FIG. 1. The hooks 5 from which the laser device 1 hangs are clearlyshown.

FIG. 4 shows a laser device 1 according to at least one embodiment ofthe present invention mounted on a wooden beam 9. The laser device 1 isattached to a mounting device 8, such as a bracket. The laser device 1projects a laser beam or beams 3 to permit a user to position anotherwooden beam (not shown) in a position perpendicular to the wooden beam9.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the laser device 1 shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the laser device 1 shown in FIG. 4. As can beseen in FIG. 6, the laser device 1, according to at least one possibleembodiment, can project laser beams 3 in several directions. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 6, the laser beams 3 project away from thelaser device in four directions. FIG. 7 shows the laser device 1 shownin FIG. 6 as used to position wooden beams 9 in a base frame.

FIG. 8 shows a laser device 1 according to at least one embodiment ofthe present invention mounted on a wooden beam 9. Instead of having atop-mounted laser device 1, as shown in FIG. 4, the embodiment shown inFIG. 8 has two side-mounted laser devices 1 placed on opposite sides ofthe mounting bracket 8. Each of the laser devices 1 has a laserprojector 6 to project two laser beams 3 in opposite directions todefine a straight line.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a laser device 101 according to at least onepossible embodiment which projects two laser beams. The laser device 101has two attachment points or attachment holes 102 to which a hook orhooks, or other similar, suitable structure, can be connected, inserted,or attached. The hook structure would be utilized to suspend the laserdevice 101 from a string or wire tied between two stakes such that thebody 103 of the laser device 101 would be substantially parallel to thestring. Projecting arms 104 extend perpendicular to the body 103 andthus perpendicular to the string from which the laser device issuspended. The body 103 houses the power source, such as a battery, thatpowers the laser diode or diodes in the laser device 101.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the laser device 101 shown in FIG. 9,which bottom view is opposite to the front view. On the bottom side ofthe laser device 101 is located a switching device 105 to permit a userto manually switch the device on and off.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the laser device shown in FIG. 9. There isan opening 106 in the end of the projecting arm 104 from which the laserbeam travels. Since the projecting arms 104 are essentiallyperpendicular to the body 103 and a string from which the laser device101 is suspended, a laser beam can be projected essentiallyperpendicular to the string to define a right angle. In one embodiment,a lens (not shown) is located adjacent the opening 106.

FIG. 12 shows an end view of the laser device shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of a power source and laser system for alaser device which projects two laser beams according to at least onepossible embodiment. The laser device has a power source, such as abattery, that is connected to an on/off switch. The on/off switchcontrols the supply of power to two separate laser diodes, each of whichgenerate and project a laser beam out of opposite sides of the laserdevice. In the embodiment shown, the wiring shows the negative or groundconnection being connected to the outer casing or housing of the laserdevice. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the negative connectioncould also be directly connected to the laser diodes.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic view of a power source and laser system for alaser device which projects two laser beams according to at least oneother possible embodiment. This embodiment is similar to that shown inFIG. 13, however only one laser diode and a splitter device are used tocreate two laser beams. Power is supplied to the laser diode by a powersource, and the flow of power is controlled by an on/off switch. A laserbeam is generated by the laser diode and contacts the splitter device,which then splits the laser beam into two separate beams heading inopposite directions.

FIG. 15 shows another possible embodiment with additional description.FIG. 16 shows a further possible embodiment with additional description.FIG. 17 shows yet another possible embodiment with additionaldescription.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of thefiling of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in ameasurement and positioning arrangement for defining a 90 degree anglefor positioning the corner of a building foundation, said arrangementcomprising: a first stake being configured to be disposed in the ground;a second stake being configured to be disposed in the ground a distancefrom said first stake; a first string being configured to be tiedbetween said first stake and said second stake; a laser device; saidlaser device comprising: a hook structure being configured to hang saidlaser device from said first string; at least one laser beam projectorbeing configured to project a laser beam from said laser devicesubstantially perpendicular to said first string; and a bubble levelbeing configured to permit a user to verify a level position of saidlaser device with respect to the ground; a third stake being configuredto be disposed in the ground a distance from said first stake and in thepath of said laser beam projected from said laser device hanging fromsaid first string; a fourth stake being configured to be disposed in theground a distance from said third stake and in the path of said laserbeam projected from said laser device hanging from said first string;and a second string being configured to be tied between said third stakeand said fourth stake to intersect with said first string to define a 90degree angle and a location where a corner of a building foundation willbe placed.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time ofthe filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in ameasurement and positioning device for defining a 90 degree angle forpositioning the corner of a building foundation, said device comprising:a hook structure being configured to hang said measurement andpositioning device from a string tied between two stakes; and at leastone laser beam projector being configured to project a laser beam fromsaid measurement and positioning device substantially perpendicular to astring from which said measurement and positioning device is suspendedto define a 90 degree angle and a location where a corner of a buildingfoundation will be placed.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the timeof the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in amethod of defining a 90 degree angle for positioning the corner of abuilding foundation, using a measurement and positioning device fordefining a 90 degree angle for positioning the corner of a buildingfoundation, said measurement and positioning device comprising: a hookstructure being configured to hang said device from a string tiedbetween two stakes; and at least one laser beam projector beingconfigured to project a laser beam from said measurement and positioningdevice substantially perpendicular to a string from which saidmeasurement and positioning device is suspended to define a 90 degreeangle and a location where a corner of a building foundation will beplaced; said method comprising the steps of: placing a first stake and asecond stake in the ground on a line where a side of a buildingfoundation will be located; tying a string between said first stake andsaid second stake; hanging said measurement and positioning device fromsaid string; and switching on said measurement and positioning device tosupply power to said at least one laser beam projector to project alaser beam from said measurement and positioning device substantiallyperpendicular to said string to define a 90 degree angle and a locationwhere a corner of a building foundation will be placed.

The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed orincorporated by reference herein, may be used in the embodiments of thepresent invention, as well as equivalents thereof.

The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions,proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention,are accurate and are hereby included by reference into thisspecification.

All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the variousembodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of theembodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.

All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein,and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated byreference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

All of the references and documents, cited in any of the documents citedherein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in theirentirety herein. All of the documents cited herein, referred to in theimmediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patentapplications and publications cited anywhere in the present application.

The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may beconsidered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claimsduring prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentablydistinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

Some examples of lasers and laser beam projectors that may possibly beutilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of thepresent invention may possibly be found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.6,195,901, entitled “Laser beam projector power and communicationsystem;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,092, entitled “Laser projection apparatuswith liquid-crystal light valves and scanning reading beam;” U.S. Pat.No. 6,150,938, entitled “Laser lighting assembly mounted on a forkliftto project a light beam parallel to and in the same plane as a fork andutilized to accurately direct the fork into a fork receiving volume of apallet, thereby avoiding any fork damage to a load on a pallet;” U.S.Pat. No. 6,025,908, entitled “Alignment of optical elements intelescopes using a laser beam with a holographic projection reticle;”U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,374, entitled “Compacted beam path expander, amethod for expanding beam path and a large-area laser projection displaysystem having a small compacted optical system;” U.S. Pat. No.5,953,108, entitled “Laser beam projector power and communicationsystem;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,393, entitled “Laser beam projection surveyapparatus with automatic grade correction unit;” U.S. Pat. No.5,925,871, entitled “Automatic laser projection scanner with improvedlaser beam scanning efficiency;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,003, entitled“Device for projecting a flat beam of diverging laser rays;” U.S. Pat.No. 5,757,563, entitled “Multi-angle laser beam projector;” U.S. Pat.No. 5,661,292, entitled “Automatic laser projection scanner withimproved laser beam scanning efficiency;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,808,entitled “D-shape laser beam projector;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,756,entitled “Laser beam projection apparatus;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,177,entitled “Two-axis levelling instrument with a single pendulum forprojecting a level laser beam;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,876, entitled “Laserbeam reader having a projecting and receiving optical system;” U.S. Pat.No. 4,946,232, entitled “Variably curved reflector for projectingluminous lines on an object,by a laser beam;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,315,entitled “Method of and apparataus for projecting a laser beam intolight amplifier;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,000, entitled “System forgenerating frame sweeping with laser beam, in particular for projectingimages;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,064, entitled “Liquid crystal projectiondisplay having laser intensity varied according to beam change-of-axisspeed;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,768,958, entitled “Laser beam projector andmounting means therefor;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,567, entitled “Apparatusfor projecting luminous lines on an object by a laser beam;” U.S. Pat.No. 4,662,707, entitled “Lighthouse structure and compensating lens inreference laser beam projecting apparatus;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,856,entitled “Laser beam projection device and arrangement for mounting alaser plasma tube therein;” U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,321, entitled “Gradesetting and calibration arrangement for laser beam projection device;”U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,738, entitled “Apparatus for projecting a laser beamin a linear pattern;” and U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,267, entitled “Laserapparatus for projecting a narrow beam of light as a reference line.”

Some examples of laser beam splitters that may possibly be utilized oradapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the presentinvention may possibly be found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.6,694,630, entitled “Multiple-axis laser emitter with optical beamsplitter;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,661,577, entitled “Wavelength-selective laserbeam splitter;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,717, entitled “Laser beam splitter;”U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,426, entitled “Laser block beam splitter formicroscopes;” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,371, entitled “Low coupling beamsplitter and laser power or position monitor using same.”

The invention as described hereinabove in the context of the preferredembodiments is not to be taken as limited to all of the provided detailsthereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Appendix A included in this application shows additional drawings withnotation to show and describe additional possible embodiments accordingto the present invention.

1. A measurement and positioning arrangement for defining a 90 degreeangle for positioning the corner of a building foundation, saidarrangement comprising: a first stake being configured to be disposed inthe ground; a second stake being configured to be disposed in the grounda distance from said first stake; a first string being configured to betied between said first stake and said second stake; a laser device;said laser device comprising: a hook structure being configured to hangsaid laser device from said first string; at least one laser beamprojector being configured to project a laser beam from said laserdevice substantially perpendicular to said first string; and a bubblelevel being configured to permit a user to verify a level position ofsaid laser device with respect to the ground; a third stake beingconfigured to be disposed in the ground a distance from said first stakeand in the path of said laser beam projected from said laser devicehanging from said first string; a fourth stake being configured to bedisposed in the ground a distance from said third stake and in the pathof said laser beam projected from said laser device hanging from saidfirst string; and a second string being configured to be tied betweensaid third stake and said fourth stake to intersect with said firststring to define a 90 degree angle and a location where a corner of abuilding foundation will be placed.
 2. A measurement and positioningdevice for defining a 90 degree angle for positioning the corner of abuilding foundation, said device comprising: a hook structure beingconfigured to hang said measurement and positioning device from a stringtied between two stakes; and at least one laser beam projector beingconfigured to project a laser beam from said measurement and positioningdevice substantially perpendicular to a string from which saidmeasurement and positioning device is suspended to define a 90 degreeangle and a location where a corner of a building foundation will beplaced.
 3. A method of defining a 90 degree angle for positioning thecorner of a building foundation, using a measurement and positioningdevice for defining a 90 degree angle for positioning the corner of abuilding foundation, said measurement and positioning device comprising:a hook structure being configured to hang said device from a string tiedbetween two stakes; and at least one laser beam projector beingconfigured to project a laser beam from said measurement and positioningdevice substantially perpendicular to a string from which saidmeasurement and positioning device is suspended to define a 90 degreeangle and a location where a corner of a building foundation will beplaced; said method comprising the steps of: placing a first stake and asecond stake in the ground on a line where a side of a buildingfoundation will be located; tying a string between said first stake andsaid second stake; hanging said measurement and positioning device fromsaid string; and switching on said measurement and positioning device tosupply power to said at least one laser beam projector to project alaser beam from said measurement and positioning device substantiallyperpendicular to said string to define a 90 degree angle and a locationwhere a corner of a building foundation will be placed.